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meganpkin's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
May be triggering for someone who has been emotionally manipulated and for anyone whos attacked in their home by an intruder because that is described often.
A good mystery that was hard to figure out, all in all though I'm not sure it was worth how I ended up feeling by the end of it which is a personal reflection only. It was well written, paced well, I read it in 3days wanting to find out the truth and the prologue completely had my attention and drew me in. I liked the amount of trivia about film and such, that was enjoyable. Would be intrigued by a sequel.
A good mystery that was hard to figure out, all in all though I'm not sure it was worth how I ended up feeling by the end of it which is a personal reflection only. It was well written, paced well, I read it in 3days wanting to find out the truth and the prologue completely had my attention and drew me in. I liked the amount of trivia about film and such, that was enjoyable. Would be intrigued by a sequel.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder
Moderate: Murder, Panic attacks/disorders, Violence, Classism, and Mental illness
Minor: Torture, Violence, Gore, Racism, Emotional abuse, Toxic relationship, and Suicide
markedwithanm's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Stalking, Physical abuse, Panic attacks/disorders, Mental illness, Kidnapping, Murder, Violence, Toxic relationship, Toxic friendship, Injury/Injury detail, Grief, Gaslighting, Emotional abuse, Death, and Bullying
sallytiffany's review against another edition
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
This is a solid book. It kind of moved slowly for me and not a genre I usually get into. The characters are well written but I couldn’t relate to them because I just don’t like horror movies. A fine book, just not written for my taste.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Gore, Toxic friendship, Stalking, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Drug abuse, Grief, Alcohol, Blood, Body horror, Bullying, Child death, Cursing, Death, Emotional abuse, and Gun violence
jamierenee98's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Child death, Death, Emotional abuse, Injury/Injury detail, Kidnapping, Murder, Stalking, and Toxic relationship
elwirax's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
PROS:
A lot of horror movie references which I absolutely loved
Writing style meant the book was easy and quick to read
I enjoyed seeing the fear test through the target's perspective. Made for a more engaging experience and gave me a break from Rachel's POV.
The discussion on the racial and social divide as well as past traumas was something the author did particularily well.
Good Latinx representation that wasn't made Rachel and Freddie's only traits ( made their bond a bit more believable as they were both the "outcasts" of not only the group but in the school)
I liked the friendship between Saundra and Rachel although I wish it had been more developed
CONS:
I found Rachel to be an unlikeable character. There isn't anything wrong with unlikeable characters on the contrary, I enjoy reading from their perspectives. However in this case I think she was meant to be likeable but came off as annoying ( I know she went through a traumatic event and I have taken this into consideration but in the end I just didn't like her character ).
Had a very predictable and abrupt ending. However, this was a book centred around horror movies and therefore such an ending would be expected.
There seemed to be some sort of weird love triangle going on but there was zero substance between any of them.
Way too melodramatic for my taste.
Overall, an interesting concept and for the most part the execution was well done. I think "The Mary Shelley Club" may be more suited to people who are new to the genres of horror/ slasher. Personally, I don't think YA thrillers are really doing it for me anymore.
A lot of horror movie references which I absolutely loved
Writing style meant the book was easy and quick to read
I enjoyed seeing the fear test through the target's perspective. Made for a more engaging experience and gave me a break from Rachel's POV.
The discussion on the racial and social divide as well as past traumas was something the author did particularily well.
Good Latinx representation that wasn't made Rachel and Freddie's only traits ( made their bond a bit more believable as they were both the "outcasts" of not only the group but in the school)
I liked the friendship between Saundra and Rachel although I wish it had been more developed
CONS:
I found Rachel to be an unlikeable character. There isn't anything wrong with unlikeable characters on the contrary, I enjoy reading from their perspectives. However in this case I think she was meant to be likeable but came off as annoying ( I know she went through a traumatic event and I have taken this into consideration but in the end I just didn't like her character ).
Had a very predictable and abrupt ending. However, this was a book centred around horror movies and therefore such an ending would be expected.
There seemed to be some sort of weird love triangle going on but there was zero substance between any of them.
Way too melodramatic for my taste.
Overall, an interesting concept and for the most part the execution was well done. I think "The Mary Shelley Club" may be more suited to people who are new to the genres of horror/ slasher. Personally, I don't think YA thrillers are really doing it for me anymore.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder and Death
Moderate: Emotional abuse
ukalaylee's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Bullying, Death, Emotional abuse, Gore, Kidnapping, Toxic relationship, and Violence
Moderate: Alcohol, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual assault, and Suicide
Minor: Drug use
valeriabee's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Genuinely was afraid. Mostly because it made me think of what my biggest fears are and how those fears impact my life. Also, Rachel, after having gone through a trauma, has high anxiety and I also suffer from anxiety so part of my fear was just... the anxiety I was feeling while I was reading.
In part, I had anxiety because I was seeing how complicated the whole situation is and how hard it is to know/figure out who is telling the truth. It is so hard to decide who in this book is trust worthy (especially because it's written in first person) and that made my anxiety sky rocket. I didn't like not knowing or being unsure of what I was (and Rachel was) dealing with.
Moldavsky does a wonderful job of setting up and revealing the villain, the monster. I think it's in the way that she really makes you doubt yourself. For a minute you think, Rachel is right, it's this person... but then you think no way it doesn't add up. Or obviously it has to be this other person, why don't they realize this... but then why would it be them? What motivates them? Moldavsky really drives home the idea that "the real monsters aren't the ones created by man. The real monster is man himself." Something that Mary Shelley has proven to us in her own work 200 years ago with Frankenstein. I mean, it speaks to the common misconception and mislabelling of Mary Shelley's monster. People often address the green 'monster' as Frankenstein, but really he is Frankenstein's monster. Frankenstein is the doctor. I don't say this to be pretentious, but to point out that the fact that Dr. Frankenstein is the real monster, but people don't want to believe that their peers are capable of monstrosities, so they reassign the role to the supernatural, to the least human. It's not wrong to say Frankenstein is the monster, it's only wrong if you're not referring to the Doctor. Shelley and Moldavsky's point is that people are scarier than any supernatural horror movie or book.
It's funny because I was telling my friends about this book earlier and when I told them a fun fact I learned about Mary Shelley from this book, it gave me another realization of how the revelation at the end redefines the scene. It was so crazy to me how perfectly set up the revelation is. When you get to it you might think "oh duh thats so obvious it makes the most sense," but I think that's only because Moldavsky sets it up so well without giving it away.
Reading this book also prompted me to ask my students (who are high school students) whether they think people their age are capable of empathy, rather, how much empathy they think their age group has the capacity for. Then, what kind of person they think of when they think of an empathetic person. Because books like these where the rich kids are such... assholes, really makes me wonder whether it has to do with age, upbringing, privilege, etc. Like what is interfering with their capacity to have empathy or to simply not be assholes. I was surprised by my students honest answers, but also by their lack in faith for the capacity towards empathy in their age group. (I think it definitely is partially a developmental thing, you learn as you grow older and experience more life -- but it is very nuanced).
In part, I had anxiety because I was seeing how complicated the whole situation is and how hard it is to know/figure out who is telling the truth. It is so hard to decide who in this book is trust worthy (especially because it's written in first person) and that made my anxiety sky rocket. I didn't like not knowing or being unsure of what I was (and Rachel was) dealing with.
Moldavsky does a wonderful job of setting up and revealing the villain, the monster. I think it's in the way that she really makes you doubt yourself. For a minute you think, Rachel is right, it's this person... but then you think no way it doesn't add up. Or obviously it has to be this other person, why don't they realize this... but then why would it be them? What motivates them? Moldavsky really drives home the idea that "the real monsters aren't the ones created by man. The real monster is man himself." Something that Mary Shelley has proven to us in her own work 200 years ago with Frankenstein. I mean, it speaks to the common misconception and mislabelling of Mary Shelley's monster. People often address the green 'monster' as Frankenstein, but really he is Frankenstein's monster. Frankenstein is the doctor. I don't say this to be pretentious, but to point out that the fact that Dr. Frankenstein is the real monster, but people don't want to believe that their peers are capable of monstrosities, so they reassign the role to the supernatural, to the least human. It's not wrong to say Frankenstein is the monster, it's only wrong if you're not referring to the Doctor. Shelley and Moldavsky's point is that people are scarier than any supernatural horror movie or book.
It's funny because I was telling my friends about this book earlier and when I told them a fun fact I learned about Mary Shelley from this book, it gave me another realization of how the revelation at the end redefines the scene. It was so crazy to me how perfectly set up the revelation is. When you get to it you might think "oh duh thats so obvious it makes the most sense," but I think that's only because Moldavsky sets it up so well without giving it away.
Reading this book also prompted me to ask my students (who are high school students) whether they think people their age are capable of empathy, rather, how much empathy they think their age group has the capacity for. Then, what kind of person they think of when they think of an empathetic person. Because books like these where the rich kids are such... assholes, really makes me wonder whether it has to do with age, upbringing, privilege, etc. Like what is interfering with their capacity to have empathy or to simply not be assholes. I was surprised by my students honest answers, but also by their lack in faith for the capacity towards empathy in their age group. (I think it definitely is partially a developmental thing, you learn as you grow older and experience more life -- but it is very nuanced).
Content Warnings
Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders, Murder, Mental illness, and Torture
Moderate: Bullying, Emotional abuse, Homophobia, Toxic relationship, and Violence
betweentheshelves's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
A twisty YA thriller that will have you on the edge of your seats! Though the twists were a bit predictable for me, the characters were great and I loved the way the author pulled in horror movie tropes and references. More to come in a full review next week!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Bullying, Confinement, Death, Stalking, Panic attacks/disorders, Murder, and Kidnapping
Moderate: Drug use, Toxic relationship, and Emotional abuse
Minor: Alcoholism and Suicidal thoughts
justagirlwithabook's review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Seventeen-year-old Rachel and her mom are new to the Manchester area after moving from Long Island because of a traumatic home invasion that took place a year earlier. Masked men broke into their house when Rachel was alone and attacked her, but she defended herself and lived to see another day, though the experience left its mark; she suffers from nightmares, anxiety and anxiety, has trouble making new friends at her new school, and just can't seem to shake the past. But then, things begin to look up as she meets and joins in with the Mary Shelley Club, a small, eclectic group of fellow students and horror fans who take their love of fear to the next level, staging their own "Fear Tests" as part of a game. Come up with a plan, scare the victim until they scream, and the person with best Fear Test when it's all said and done wins. But things start taking a dark turn the more Rachel gets caught up in the group and their game, and it seems like her past, and a masked intruder, isn't as far away as she once hoped.
This one got off to a sort of slow start, but by maybe a fourth of the way in, things started picking up and the storyline turned a bit more macabre, which I ate up, in one 4 and a half hour sitting! I really appreciated all the references to the cult classics of the horror genre, both film and text (as a former English teacher and current librarian, all the asides related to horror literature were a hit for me!). The storyline really focuses most on this traumatic incident that occurs at the very beginning, and then everything builds from there. We don't ever find out much about Rachel and her mom's story really; we only know them through the lens of this bad moment a year ago. While this might not work for some, I think it worked fine here, especially as a Young Adult novel that really carries itself well as a "slasher" type of story (it'd make a great older teen horror movie!). I didn't fully see the twist at the end when all was revealed, so it wasn't super predictable, which was great as well.
What I loved: the (mostly) fast pace, all the references to classic horror novels, authors, and films, the build up to the somewhat surprising ending, the 'slasher film' feeling of the story overall (5-stars for entertainment value!)
What I didn't love: the end-end of the ending (it felt like it ended quite abruptly rather than smoothly tapering off and letting us go - there were some loose ends that would've been nice to have wrapped up), not a lot of love for the main character (she was a bit abrasive, but then if this had been a horror film, we wouldn't need to have lovable characters to still get caught up in the scary of it all), the more mature content (in regards to language, casual underage drinking, drug use, and sexual commentary ... as a junior high librarian I was hoping this would be a great addition to my library shelves but it's much to 'new' young adult rather than just middle grade-YA).
I would definitely recommend this to older young adults who enjoy a good horror/thriller with a plot twist (as well as adults who can appreciate a pretty decent YA slasher novel when they see one). As a librarian, I would recommend this to general public libraries where young adult horror has a readership.
Thank you to Netgalley and Macmillan Children's Publishing Group (Henry Holt and Co.) for the Early Review copy in exchanged for honest feedback.
This one got off to a sort of slow start, but by maybe a fourth of the way in, things started picking up and the storyline turned a bit more macabre, which I ate up, in one 4 and a half hour sitting! I really appreciated all the references to the cult classics of the horror genre, both film and text (as a former English teacher and current librarian, all the asides related to horror literature were a hit for me!). The storyline really focuses most on this traumatic incident that occurs at the very beginning, and then everything builds from there. We don't ever find out much about Rachel and her mom's story really; we only know them through the lens of this bad moment a year ago. While this might not work for some, I think it worked fine here, especially as a Young Adult novel that really carries itself well as a "slasher" type of story (it'd make a great older teen horror movie!). I didn't fully see the twist at the end when all was revealed, so it wasn't super predictable, which was great as well.
What I loved: the (mostly) fast pace, all the references to classic horror novels, authors, and films, the build up to the somewhat surprising ending, the 'slasher film' feeling of the story overall (5-stars for entertainment value!)
What I didn't love: the end-end of the ending (it felt like it ended quite abruptly rather than smoothly tapering off and letting us go - there were some loose ends that would've been nice to have wrapped up), not a lot of love for the main character (she was a bit abrasive, but then if this had been a horror film, we wouldn't need to have lovable characters to still get caught up in the scary of it all), the more mature content (in regards to language, casual underage drinking, drug use, and sexual commentary ... as a junior high librarian I was hoping this would be a great addition to my library shelves but it's much to 'new' young adult rather than just middle grade-YA).
I would definitely recommend this to older young adults who enjoy a good horror/thriller with a plot twist (as well as adults who can appreciate a pretty decent YA slasher novel when they see one). As a librarian, I would recommend this to general public libraries where young adult horror has a readership.
Thank you to Netgalley and Macmillan Children's Publishing Group (Henry Holt and Co.) for the Early Review copy in exchanged for honest feedback.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Blood, Bullying, Cursing, Death, Emotional abuse, Gore, Grief, and Violence
Minor: Alcoholism and Drug use
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